The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Sunday held a marathon across 46 air bases nationwide to commemorate the late Flight Lt Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest wartime gallantry award.

Flight Lt Sekhon, a fighter pilot posted in Srinagar during the 1971 war with Pakistan, was martyred in a dogfight with enemy aircraft.

According to the Ministry of Defence, this was the first-ever ‘Sekhon Indian Air Force Marathon 2025’, organised simultaneously across air bases, with nearly 45,000 participants. The marathon featured three categories — 21 km, 10 km and 5 km.

In New Delhi, around 12,000 runners took part, including men, women and children of all ages. IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh participated in the 21-km run, inspiring air warriors and civilians alike. The event was also attended by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, the IAF Chief and other senior officers.

The marathon began on a high-energy note with a Zumba warm-up session, followed by spirited performances by the IAF band, a synchronised display by the air warrior drill team and a skydiving demonstration.

Actors Huma Qureshi, Shefali Shah, Archana Puran Singh and Sunil Grover joined the event. The occasion also saw the unveiling of the teaser for ‘Operation Safed Sagar’ — an upcoming Netflix series depicting the courage, resilience and bravery of the Indian Air Force during the Kargil War.

A major tri-services military exercise, ‘Trishul’, will begin on Monday featuring large-scale operations along the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan and Gujarat, as well as maritime and amphibious operations in the North Arabian Sea near the disputed Sir Creek area.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the exercise would involve the Army, Navy and Air Force, and aims to validate and synchronise operational procedures across the three services to enable joint, effect-based operations.

Key objectives include enhancing interoperability of platforms and infrastructure, strengthening network integration and advancing jointness in operations, the ministry said.

The exercise will witness large-scale deployment of Indian Navy warships, Indian Air Force fighter and support aircraft, and amphibious operations involving the amphibious components of the Army and Navy, including the Landing Platform Dock INS Jalashwa and Landing Craft Utility (LCU) vessels.

It will also validate joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Electronic Warfare (EW) and Cyber Warfare capabilities. The Navy’s aircraft carrier will operate jointly with shore-based IAF assets during the drills.

The office of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) posted on X, stating: “Indian armed forces are conducting ‘Ex-Trishul’, a major tri-services operational validation in the Western sector. The exercise hones joint operations and interoperability among the Army, Navy and the Indian Air Force.”

The coordinated drills will include troops from the Army’s Pune-headquartered Southern Command, the Navy’s Western Command (Mumbai) and the IAF’s South Western Air Command (Gandhinagar). The Indian Coast Guard, Border Security Force (BSF) and other central agencies are also participating in significant numbers.

The indigenously designed satellite weighs 4,400 kg

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Sunday successfully launched the Navy’s GSAT 7R (CMS-03) communication satellite from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The indigenously designed satellite is India’s heaviest communication satellite to date, weighing approximately 4,400 kg.

India’s LVM3 launch vehicle was used to carry the communication satellite to its orbit. It was LVM3’s fifth operational flight (LVM3-M5), with the previous mission being the launch of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, when India became the first country to land successfully near the lunar south pole.

This would be the most advanced communication satellite so far for the Navy. The satellite would strengthen the Navy’s space-based communications and maritime domain awareness capabilities.

The mission lifespan of the satellite, which was placed in geosynchronous transfer orbit, will be 15 years.

The satellite includes many indigenous state-of-the-art components developed specifically to meet the Navy’s operational requirements.

The GSAT 7R will provide robust telecommunication coverage across the Indian Ocean region. Its payload includes transponders capable of supporting voice, data and video links over multiple communication bands. This satellite will significantly enhance connectivity with high-capacity bandwidth, enabling seamless and secure communication links between ships, aircraft, submarines and maritime operations centres of the Navy.

The launch vehicle was fully assembled and integrated with the spacecraft and moved to the launchpad on October 26 for pre-launch operations.

The LVM3 is a three-stage launch vehicle consisting of two solid propellant S200 strap-ons and core stages comprising L110 liquid stage, the C25 cryogenic stage, the equipment bay and the encapsulated assembly. A cryogenic ignition stage is the final stage of the rocket that uses super-cold liquid propellants, like liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen, which are kept at extremely low temperatures.

ISRO chairman Dr V Narayanan said, “The LVM3-M5 has successfully placed the satellite in the geosynchronous orbit. Today’s mission has brought glory to India. All vehicles and systems performed satisfactorily. All launches by LVM3-M5 have been successful.”

Narayanan said the satellite was a multi-band communication satellite and designed to perform communication services for 15 years.

“We had a challenging time, as the weather was not cooperative. Even in this difficult weather condition, we successfully achieved the mission in a grand manner,” the chairman added.

Mission director T Victor Joseph said for the first time, ISRO carried out the reignition of the cryogenic engine.

Team India finally put the heartbreaks of the 2005 and 2017 World Cup finals behind them as they beat South Africa to secure their maiden world title

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia announced a cash prize of Rs 51 crore for the ICC Women’s World Cup-winning Team India.

Team India finally put the heartbreaks of the 2005 and 2017 World Cup finals behind them as they beat South Africa to secure their maiden world title across ODI and T20I formats.

Speaking to ANI, Saikia said, “In 1983, Kapil Dev brought about a new era and encouragement in cricket by making India win the World Cup. The same excitement and encouragement has been introduced by the women today. Harmanpreet Kaur and her team have not just won the trophy today, they have won the hearts of all Indians. They have paved the way for the next generation of women cricketers… Women’s cricket already reached its next level when our team defeated Australia in the semifinals…”

“Since Jay Shah took charge of the BCCI (serving as secretary of BCCI from 2019 to 2024), he has brought about many transformations in women’s cricket. Pay parity was also addressed. Last month, ICC Chairman Jay Shah increased women’s prize money by 300 per cent. Earlier, the prize money was $2.88 million, and now it has been increased to $14 million. All these steps have greatly promoted women’s cricket. BCCI has also announced a reward prize of Rs 51 crore for the entire team- players, coaches, and support staff,” he added.

Coming to the match, South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl first. A century partnership between Smriti Mandhana (45 in 58 balls, with eight fours) and Shafali Verma kick-started things for India, followed by another 62-run stand between Shafali (87 in 78 balls, with seven fours and two sixes) and Jemimah Rodrigues (24 in 37 balls, with a four). India was at a fine platform of 166/2.

A 52-run stand between skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (20 in 29 balls, with two fours) and Deepti Sharma took India beyond the 200-run mark. A final flourish by Deepti (58 in 58 balls, with three fours and a six) and Richa Ghosh (34 in 24 balls, with three fours and two sixes) helped India reach 298/7 in their 50 overs.

Ayabonga Khaka (3/58) was the leading wicket-taker for SA.

During the run-chase, a fifty-run stand started things for SA, with Tazmin Brits (23 in 35 balls, with two fours and a six) being the first victim. Eventually, despite skipper Laura Wolvaardt’s dominance, the golden arms of Shafali Verma (2/36) and Shree Charani reduced SA to 148/5.

Wolvaardt had a 61-run stand for the sixth-wicket with Annerie Dercksen (37 in 35 balls, with a four and two sixes), which slowly started to rebuild pressure on India. Wolvaardt (101 in 98 balls, with 11 fours and a six) continued her red-hot form, bringing up her century after having registered 169 against England in the semifinal just a few days back. However, a game-changing spell from Deepti removed both set batters and had Proteas struggling at 221/8. She became the first Indian woman with a WC final four-fer. Deepti (5/39) eventually managed to convert it into a fiver, as India made history to win their maiden WC title by bundling out SA for 246 runs.

Secure 52-run win against South Africa to bag maiden women’s cricket WC title

Finally, Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur can bid adieu to international cricket with an ICC World Cup Trophy, as India defeated South Africa by 52 runs to win their maiden title at DY Patil Stadium here.

The Proteas fought hard, but not hard enough to alter the course of India’s historic win. With 298 runs on the board, the trophy seemed to be slipping away from India at one stage. The 11-member South African team tried to silence the crowd of 45,000 during their chase, but the roar only grew louder as India sealed the victory.

Despite early setbacks, South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt carried her team’s hopes with a brilliant 101 off 98 balls, but found no support as their innings folded at 246.

India’s triumph, their first-ever World Cup title, felt nothing short of divine. To make it happen, destiny chose 21-year-old Shafali Verma from Haryana as she herself had said before joining the squad for the tournament’s final leg. Replacing injured Partika Rawal and returning to the ODI side after a year, Shafali made her World Cup debut against Australia and turned out to be India’s saviour in the final.

Spectacular win

A spectacular win by the Indian team. Showed exceptional teamwork and tenacity throughout the tournament. This historic win will motivate future champions to take up sports. Narendra Modi, PM

She emerged as the star of the evening, blasting 87 off 78 balls for a blazing start and later picking up two crucial wickets that rattled South Africa’s middle order. Her knock made her India’s highest-ever scorer in a World Cup final. The youngest player to represent India in all three formats, Shafali truly lived up to her promise.

straight out of Haryana’s domestic circuit, she had said before the tournament, “God has sent me for something good.” That “good” arrived tonight. Dropped on 76 by Anneke Bosch at deep midwicket, she punished the Proteas bowlers mercilessly thereafter. The lifeline given to her proved costly for the opponents as Shafali went after every bowler. A cramp in her left calf, however, broke her rhythm, and she was eventually caught by Sune Luus off Ayabonga Khaka. With her departure, the team’s run-rate also dropped, though Deepti Sharma (58) ensured a total of 298.

Chasing what seemed a manageable target considering the score posted in the last three matches, South Africa stayed in contention early on. But a fine Indian fielding changed the course. Tazmin Brits (23) was run out by Amanjot Kaur, opening the floodgates. While Laura played her best part, none of her teammates was able to support her in the chase. After Shafali’s twin strikes, Indian spinners tightened their grip, choking the South African innings. When skipper Harmanpreet Kaur caught Nadine de Klerk, it was all over. A new era began, with India crowned the new world champions of women’s cricket.

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Military units of 1965 war Maha Vir Chakra recipients to be felicitated at Literature Festival

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Units that included Punjab-based Armed Forces personnel decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra for gallantry during the 1965 India-Pakistan War will be felicitated by Governor Gulab Chand Kataria. The ceremony will take place at the ninth edition of the Military Literature Festival (MLF) scheduled to be held from November 7 to 9.

The Commanding Officers of 11 Army and Air Force units, along with their senior JCO, are expected to attend the event.

The family of Chaman Lal, a railway firefighter who was awarded the Ashoka Chakra during the war for battling a blaze that had engulfed an ammunition and petroleum train, will also be felicitated.

The Governor, who will inaugurate the festival, will also honour the veterans from Punjab who had participated in the 1965 war, the diamond jubilee of which is being commemorated this year, or their surviving kin.

Chairperson of the MLF Association, Lt Gen TS Shergill (retd), said that the theme of the event this year is “Heartland and Rimland Powers in Multi-domain Warfare and India”.

He further said that the western, southern and eastern edges of Eurasia have been categorised as Rimland, with central and northern areas being the heartland and this entire region has immense geo-strategic significance.

This year’s discussions will focus on contemporary national and international issues such as the conduct of Operation Sindoor and employment of air power in multi-domain warfare, multi-domain threats from Pakistan and China, challenges in the maritime domain, role of energy in the changing geopolitical scenario and changing dynamics in Af-Pak region and Iran.

Chief of Defence Staff to deliver keynote address

Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Anil Chauhan, will deliver a keynote address on the concluding day. A British delegation will discuss the shared heritage between the militaries of India and Britain

Homage to martyrs, a bravehearts motorcycle rally, weapons and equipment display, exhibition of military paintings and stamps, screening documentaries, horse show and dog show are other events being organised.

Notably, the two 1965 war recipients of the highest gallantry award, Param Vir Chakra, Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore and Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid belonged to Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, respectively.

he Military-Civil Fusion Capsule (MCFC), an initiative by Indian Army at fostering synergy between armed forces, civil administration, BSF, police, CRPF, intelligence agencies among others, concluded on Wednesday.

The capsule was spread over 15 days wherein a series of structured engagements, including exchange of ideas and brain-storming sessions, familiarisation and cross-establishment visits, were undertaken.

Army spokesperson Lt Col Suneel Bartwal said, “It was inaugurated on October 15 and witnessed wide participation from all the stakeholders with the objective of institutionalising coordination from operational to grassroots levels. The initiative was to know each other’s strengths, challenges and collaboration towards achieving seamless integration and coordination. Cross-establishment visits were undertaken to Army units, IIM Jammu, IIT Jammu, the Divisional Commissioner’s Office, Jammu Zone Police Headquarters and border outposts, encouraging first-hand experience and focusing on operational integration.

He said that specialised sessions during the capsule included deliberations on Perception Management and Information Operations, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), synthesis of intelligence inputs and joint police – Army coordination mechanisms.

An Agniveer jawan was injured after his service rifle accidentally went off following a practice session in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Thursday, officials said.

The incident took place in forward areas along the Line of Control (LoC) after a firing practice in the district, they said.

The rifle went off while he was cleaning it, resulting in an accidental shot that hit his toe. He was given treatment at a nearby hospital, the officials added.